Dìng wǔ běn (定武本) of Lantang Xu (蘭亭序)

It is believed that Ding Wu ben (定武本) of Lantang Xu (蘭亭序) was copied by Ouyáng Xún (歐陽詢). It was then engraved onto a piece of polished smooth stone for posterity. From the stone, numerous rubbing copies were made. Even for Ding Wu ben, there are many versions. Here are three of the rare and finest copies survived.

The whole Lanting Xu was written in 28 vertical lines. The three different rubbings were each cut into 28 strips. The corresponding strips are put together for comparison.

The one on the right is Ding Wu Wang Yan ben (定武王沇本). The one in the middle is Ding Wu Wú Bǐng běn (version) (定武吳炳本). The one on the left is believed to be another rubbing made in the Sung Dynasty.

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1314Three labels of Wang Yan ben (王沇本) written by three different scholars